Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers to help you plan meetings across time zones with confidence.
How does Time Zone Grid work?
Add locations, then scan the grid to see overlapping working hours. Each column represents a time slot; color cues make it easy to spot windows that work for everyone. Share a link to collaborate quickly without time conversions.
Why do time zones vary?
Time zones roughly follow longitude, but countries adjust for politics, economics, or daylight saving time. That’s why nearby regions can have different offsets or seasonal changes—our grid helps you handle those differences.
What’s the best way to find overlap?
Aim for standard working hours in each location and look for the strongest overlap highlights. Rotate recurring meetings when possible so no single region bears the burden of late or early calls.
Does it handle DST changes?
Yes. The grid reflects current offsets, including daylight saving time, based on your selected dates. That keeps your planning accurate as regions switch in and out of DST.
Can I share a specific date and hour?
Yes. Use the Copy button to generate a link that includes the selected date, hour, and cities. Teammates land on the same view, which makes async planning and follow‑ups simpler.
How are holidays shown?
When a region has a national holiday, a small label appears next to its time. It’s a reminder to avoid scheduling important meetings when people may be offline.
Do I need an account?
No. Time Zone Grid is privacy‑friendly and works without sign‑ups. Your selections are local to your browser unless you share a link.
What’s the difference between Grid and Timeline?
Grid gives a full 24‑hour picture across locations. Timeline focuses on a single hour with a compact slider—ideal for quickly testing options and keeping the URL synced.
What is UTC and why do you use it?
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the global reference for civil time. Time Zone Grid anchors the schedule to UTC so every location lines up consistently, even when countries switch in or out of daylight saving time.
How do I compare EST to PST, CET, or IST?
Search and add cities like New York (ET), San Francisco (PT), London (UK), and Mumbai (IST). You’ll see the current differences at a glance: ET ≈ UTC−5/−4, PT ≈ UTC−8/−7, CET ≈ UTC+1/+2, IST = UTC+5:30.
Can I preload cities in a link?
Yes. Use the tz parameter with IANA names, for example: ?tz=America/New_York,Europe/London,Asia/Tokyo. Share or bookmark the link to open the same setup instantly.
Do you support half‑hour and quarter‑hour time zones?
Yes. Regions like India (UTC+5:30) and Nepal (UTC+5:45) display accurate offsets. The grid and timeline handle 30‑ and 45‑minute differences without special steps.
Are holidays comprehensive for every country?
Holiday coverage focuses on major national days and may not include regional observances. When a match is found for a city’s country and date, a small label appears so you can plan around it.
Does Time Zone Grid work offline?
Most time calculations use your browser and work without a network. Holiday data is fetched, but a bundled fallback is included. Bookmark links with tz, date and hour for consistent results.